Meet Jhalen Wingate | Creative Media Producer For Gamecock Women’s Basketball

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jhalen Wingate and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jhalen, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
One of the paramount drivers contributing significantly to my encountered successes lies within the domain of trust, coupled with a commitment to authenticity. Trust, whether vested in oneself, interns, clients, or creativity, serves as the cornerstone upon which innovation thrives. For example, I have to trust myself to come up with a plan to put my interns in the best place to succeed; I have to trust them to be at their best to accomplish what I need them to do while still growing as young creatives and leaders. I have to trust that the people I’m creating for have a general understanding of the board, so I can best navigate how the content I’m making serves them.

To be authentically true to oneself means knowing who you are at your core and living in a way that’s honest to that. It’s about staying genuine to your beliefs and values, even when faced with challenges or pressures from others. Being authentic involves being open about your strengths and weaknesses, and being sincere in how you communicate and act. It’s about staying real and true to yourself, no matter what.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe what sets me apart from others, as I mentioned earlier, is my commitment to being my authentic self. I never want anyone to perceive me as arrogant or unwilling to do the work required. I strive to be a positive role model, mindful that others may be observing and that their perception of me may impact our future interactions.

I’m particularly proud of the collective effort my team and I put into our national championship run this year. We adhered to our theme throughout, showcasing the true essence of the South Carolina Women’s Basketball team. However, reaching this point creatively and professionally was no easy feat. It took years of dedication and perseverance.

I owe much of my success to my mentor, Alex Grant, who has been like a big brother to me. His encouragement and guidance have been invaluable, especially when I was breaking into the industry with minimal experience.

Yet, one of the toughest challenges I faced was being the only Black man in the room at times. Learning to assert myself and have my voice heard was daunting, as I always wanted to feel valued in those spaces. However, I overcame this by embracing a mindset of continuous learning and growth, alongside a deep passion for the industry.

In my creative work, I strive to incorporate elements that reflect my personal tastes and experiences. Whether it’s the music I select, specific effects inspired by my favorite videos, or entire projects reminiscent of my childhood favorites, I infuse my videos with a part of myself.

Overall, my journey has taught me the importance of authenticity, resilience, and staying true to my creative vision. These qualities define my approach to both my professional endeavors and personal expression.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Monday Columbia Art Museum and China Kitchen for Dinner (IYKYK)

Tuesday Go for a walk along the Columbia Riverwalk and if we feel like it go tubing down the river.

Wednesday Columbia Fireflies Baseball Game

Thursday enjoy a fun night at either The Grand or Transmission Arcade Bar with going to Kaminskys dessert bar

Friday; Day drinking at Savage Craft Brewery

Saturday Soda City in the morning and lunch at Mr Seafood

Sunday Pack up leave

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to give a shoutout to the South Carolina Creative Media staff interns! Your unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and innovative perspectives breathe life into our projects, infusing them with vibrancy and originality. Thank you for your hard work enthusiasm and being genuinely great people; you’re truly the driving force behind our success and we wouldn’t be where we are without you all.

Website: https://gondola.cc/JhalenWingate?profileuser=JhalenWingate&from=25

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jhalenwingate/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhalen-wingate-06b516156/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JhalenWingate

Image Credits
Jhalen Wingate
Tim Cowie
Jordan Coleman